Tragedy in Kentucky

Most Officers hope and pray for a lengthy peaceful retirement when they leave the job. Some look for a job as far away from law enforcement as humanly possible. Others take security gigs around the edges of law enforcement. And a small number look for second careers as the Police because they enjoy it and feel they still have contributions to make to the community.

This was that last case:

• A Chicago native and longtime leader on the Chicago Police Department SWAT Team was critically wounded in a shooting in Kentucky, where he now serves on the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department.

  Deputy Rick Coyle, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side and attended Brother Rice High School, moved to Kentucky with his wife in 2019 after retiring from CPD. After joining the sheriff’s department, he took on a role as a school resource officer (SRO) with Crittenden County Schools in 2024.

  According to Kentucky State Police, Coyle remains in critical condition after he was shot in the line of duty Thursday night. Sources with knowledge of the situation tell WGN-TV he was shot in the head and a bullet struck him in the vest.

The praise pouring in from former co-workers here is extensive. Coyle retired to Kentucky and was working as a School Resource Officer. There's a video we saw of teachers and school kids wishing Coyle and his partner a Happy School Resources Officers Day from a few weeks ago and it's obvious that these people appreciated and loved their SROs (if someone has the link, post it in the comments). 

One of the job requirements was one day every week or so, the Officers had to work regular patrol duties, not unusual in smaller departments. This time, while serving guardianship paperwork on a subject, things went south and Coyle was shot in the vest and head. The assailant was killed in the ensuing gun battle and Coyle was airlifted to a trauma hospital where (as of this writing) he remains in critical condition. There is other information, rumors mostly, but it isn't our place to speak of what the Sheriff, Governor or family haven't released. 

Prayers and best wishes to his family, friends and co-workers....here and in Kentucky.